A perfect life begins with changing the timeline.

"Has your company done anything new lately?"

With a glass of brandy, Bie Yan asked.

Zhou Jian, who was picking out blood clams, nodded upon hearing this:

"Yes, there are quite a few projects in the second half of the year. Three projects are starting next month alone. What, you need some news? That shouldn't be the case, you don't need that much news..."

Following Zhou Jian's words, Bie Yan chuckled and raised his glass. After the group clinked glasses, he pointed at Li Mu:

"I don't need it, but Xiao Li does."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jian's tone was very casual:

"Then we can just have Xiao Li come here more often."

Don't just laugh it off:

"Haha, how about it, Xiao Li? Isn't your Brother Zhou a loyal friend?"

Li Mu smiled and nodded, then quickly picked up his cup again.

"Thank you, Brother Zhou."

Zhou Jian shrugged again, while Chen Lixin asked:

Have you promoted "Young Justice Bao" yet?

Don't just nod:

"Yes, I gave it to you. It was an interview done earlier this month, how about it?"

"Huayi Brothers has been contacting us non-stop lately. They must have heard about the station having several projects approved for the second half of the year. Didn't they just start working with Wong Jing-hua? They want to promote a few more people. We've been having dinners with them almost every day lately, especially with this guy named Chen Jinli who says he knows you..."

"Yes, we know each other. We were introduced by someone from the Oriental Pearl Tower."

"Every day they try to push actors this way..."

The three of them started chatting on this topic.

Li Mu didn't say much, but he never missed taking a cup when others did.

As the conversation went on, it somehow drifted into the topic of Huayi Brothers' current pillars.

Bie Yan patted Li Mu on the shoulder:

"Let me tell you two, Fan Bingbing and Xiao Li's relationship is anything but ordinary."

"..."

Li Mu's lips twitched.

The two older men across the table were taken aback at first, then showed expressions of curiosity:

"What makes it special?"

"Brother, I..."

Li Mu wanted to say something, but Bie Yan put his arm around his shoulder and laughed:

"Haha, we just arrived this afternoon, and Fan Bingbing is already checking up on this kid's post."

"Oh?"

"?"

"..."

Li Muxin said, "Brother, don't talk nonsense."

"Little Li is good."

Zhou Jian sized up this younger brother whom he inexplicably valued highly, and had to admit in his heart that Xiao Li was a handsome guy.

But... an intern reporter and a celebrity?

That's a bit too unrealistic.

So he asked:

"You two..."

"Brother Zhou, really, Brother Bie misunderstood. We met when Brother Bie took me to interview for 'Young Justice Bao 2,' and then we bumped into each other once when we went to Hengdian to film the opening ceremony of 'Hero.' We became somewhat familiar with each other and occasionally keep in touch. But he's a celebrity, I'm not good enough for him."

Li Mu quickly explained, but Bie Yan casually remarked:

"Alright, Li, stop explaining. It's just making things worse. If you like it, just like it, hahaha..."

"..."

Li Mu was completely speechless.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, the two older men burst into laughter.

It even has a touch of morbid humor.

But neither of them said anything more.

They are already involved in the film and television industry, and having seen and experienced so much, many things are no longer surprising to them.

Everyone has admired beautiful celebrities. But if the relationship isn't truly intimate, no one will waste their breath discussing whether the relationship is reliable or not...

No need.

It might even upset someone.

So, they raised their glasses, but no one brought up the joke again.

……

During the meal, the four of them drank a bottle of brandy.

not much.

After a satisfying meal and a slight buzz, I returned to the hotel to sleep.

Li Mu didn't take Bie Ge's matchmaking seriously. Fan Bingbing was beautiful, but they were just ordinary friends. There might be some romantic feelings between them, but it was far from being affectionate.

At most, they're just partners.

So, after a dreamless night, I opened my eyes the next day and it was already past ten o'clock.

Li Mu sent Bie Yan a message saying that he had woken up, but the other party did not reply.

So he tidied himself up, ignored the bustling, seemingly never-ending casino, and walked straight out of the hotel.

Since we've come all this way to Macau, we should definitely take a stroll around and sample the local specialties.

After wandering around for more than an hour, first having a cup of teh tarik (pulled tea), buying a dessert, and then eating a bowl of delicious beef offal noodles, around 12 o'clock, Bie Yan called.

Li Mu thought their betting game had started again, but it hadn't. After asking where he was, Bie Yan learned he was going for a walk and then let him do whatever he wanted.

Seeing this, Li Mu didn't ask any more questions. After finishing his meal, he planned to go and see the Ruins of St. Paul's.

So he wandered around Macau until after 4 p.m. before Bie Yan called again.

When the four of them met up, Li Mu learned that Sister Zhang had gone shopping in Hong Kong, saying she was buying toys for her son, so they hadn't managed to get together that afternoon. However… the three older men had gone to the casino that afternoon.

It seems like we've all lost...

Finally, the four of them boarded a helicopter together and returned to Guangzhou around 7 p.m.

They each disbanded.

Li Mu's first trip to Macau has come to an end.

In a Honda Accord, Bie Yan drove towards the city center, saying as he spoke:

"Around late September, once you submit your paperwork, you'll be officially hired."

Li Mu was taken aback, then thanked him:

"Thank you, Brother Bie."

"Um."

Don't just wave your hand casually:

"It's alright. Your articles are quite substantial, and you're qualified enough. It's just a matter of time. You can just gradually build your network in the future."

"Okay. I'll just follow you, brother."

"Ha~"

Bie Yan smiled and nodded:

"Okay. Oh right, when Old Chen contacted you these past few days, he should have given you a fairly important role. You can give it to Fan Bingbing as a favor."

"?"

Sensing Li Mu's questioning gaze, Bie Yan shrugged:

"Saying you two have a romantic relationship is just a joke. Of course, whether it's true or not isn't important. What's important is that we're journalists, and if we want to build our network, we need to exchange favors. For Lao Chen and his team, when the station needs to approve a project, they definitely need to find actors. We won't go into the minor actors, but for the male and female leads, they naturally want attractive and charismatic people. Fan Bingbing fits the bill perfectly. Instead of having them make the offers, it's better to act as a middleman for those who need the roles, thus establishing a cycle of favors. Got it? That's how this industry works."

Li Mu's eyes darted around, and he asked:

"So... even if there's an existing demand, we still do it this way to... maximize profits?"

"right."

"Chen Lixin contacted you directly because Guangzhou TV invited you to perform. But if he contacted you, and you then contacted Fan Bingbing, it would be a friend's introduction. It's a matter of courtesy and friendship. Here, everyone is involved in a two-way exchange; it's a small triangle law. Everyone is in a different position, but they form a solid triangle. Moreover, Huayi Brothers is involved here. If you connect with them directly, your future prospects will be much broader."

"I understand. So, Brother Bie, when you were in Hengdian, you told me to make more friends... is that what you meant?"

A hint of satisfaction with Li Mu's comprehension flashed in Bie Yan's eyes.

This child...

I knew I hadn't misjudged.